If you are an empath, you know what I am talking about when others around us drain our energy. There are energy vampires who usually are alcoholic, addicts, sexual predators, narcissists, etc. who drain others’ energy without even realizing they are doing it. Case in point is a coworker of mine who is an alcoholic and calls me in a drunken state late in the evening, and then uses complaining and whining to get his way.
After encountering this alcoholic coworker, my energy level began to plummet. I would be exhausted at work and would fall asleep as soon as I arrived home. No matter how much sleep I got, I felt exhausted around him. This went on for several months when I realized that this coworker was draining me of my energy.
The regular alcohol use drains him of his energy, and then he would drain other’s energy around him as well. By being around his energy, I realized that I began to feed into my own addictions such as eating unhealthy foods, drinking lots of coffee, and I stopped exercising. I also began to gain weight and felt just awful. I imagine this is how he feels all the time.
This is what I did to separate and begin to take care of myself. I made a very affirmative effort to protect my energy field envisioning a bubble of white light encircling my whole body, and repeating the mantra, “I am protected and I am safe.” After doing this, I began to tell him to stop calling me or else, and telling him firmly “no” to his whining and complaining.
I set very firm boundaries that he may not cross, as I will no longer coddle him and give into his wish to be enabled as an alcoholic. If he resists, I will take further steps to make sure he complies. With each step, my energy level began to improve. I am able to drink less and less coffee now to feel alert, and I am much more energized to exercise, work, and engage in my activities.
As an empath, we can easily be drained by others, particularly energy vampires. We must be viligant in setting healthy and appropriate boundaries. When we feel compassion for others, we become emeshed in their energy, and must be able to separate in a healthy way so we can function in our own lives. (Copyright 2016 Awakening Journey with All Rights Reserved)
Pathway to Joy and Healing 